Agree with it or not, Kobe knows his body and what he's capable of better than anyone.

I would've liked to have seen it done, but there's a legit case to be made against it as well.

Unfortunately, it doesn't make the season start any earlier.

If there is permanent damage, surgery would force him to start all over again and would force him to take MORE time off...

Not to mention, possible complications of surgery where he'd have to have ADDITIONAL surgery.

I'm finding it hard to come up with a reason he SHOULD get the surgery, in spite of medical opinions. We already know what he can do as is...what is unknown is whether the surgically repaired pinkie will add function...or remove it.

This announcement means one thing (in my mind): Most of the damage is permanent and repair isn't worth the down time. It's likely that barring major setbacks this season, Kobe will NEVER have his finger repaired.

Let's not blow this out of proportion now. This injury isn't a career-ending threat, nor is does it threaten his season. It's his pinky finger. I'm pretty sure he said it can't get any worse than it is. The only symptoms are temporary pain and discomfort.

If this was 3 years ago or even 2 years ago I'd understand. If Kobe and his medical staff know what they're doing, then that's cool because it's obviously got to be a plan of action. If this has high risk for permanent injury then that really doesn't sound like a good move to make. The team has the power and force to carry on without him for the time he needs.

3 years ago he had to go for 50 on a fairly regular basis to get them to make the playoffs.

these are all the games kobe would miss if it took the full 12 weeks and thats if there are no complications

kobe with the finger is about 95% of his normal self for what we are trying to do this season missing that many games is too risky and thats without the threat of complication what if it balloons to 14 weeks or 16 weeks

23 games is a lot of games and complications could balloon it to 30 or 40

home court will be even more necessary in the west with houston, new orleans, san antonio, portland all very good home teams